There is truly nothing in this world like spending hours on the phone with a writing buddy trying to figure out how your worldbuilding connects.

Every time I edit for a first-time novelist who writes like they have six manuscripts under their belt, I wonder what it's like to be god's favorite child, because lordddddd knows my first attempts were unfit for human consumption.

I finally did it. Today, for the first time in my life, I spelled onomatopoeia right on the first try.

We've always struggled w the difference btween "I don't think this hit the mark the creator meant" and "this isn't what I'd have done." We just get to hear more of it now bc the internet lets the discussion snowball. Before, these were one-off conversations had w annoying uncles at the dinner table.

It's rare to have an entirely unique experience these days, but I'm pretty confident that I'm the first dev editor in history to work on a military/hard SF manuscript to the dulcet tunes of the string quintet arrangement of Charlie XCX's 360. Lasers, aliens, and pizzicato, baby. #amediting

Nothing encapsulates the true depth of ignorance quite like the sentence "I don't use pronouns."

SFF writers: Do you have a non-military organization which protects the public in your story? Is it funded by the gov't or dominant social group? If so, there's a chance you're writing a cop allegory. Before you tell me why that can't possibly be the case, I implore you: [1/3] #fantasywriters

The most important advice can I give to new (genre fic) writers is that in each scene: 1. The protag should be trying to do something 2. Something must change There's more to it, of course, but if you lock down a sense of progression in every scene, you'll be off to a strong start. #writesky

Editors explaining to authors how that one small style change affects the entire project.

Me. All day. Everyday. #writesky

Ah yes, it's "I'm too stubborn to turn the heat on before November" season. My favorite.

"I'm going to get my life together this week," said Cee. "Guess again," said the lurg.

If you're a relatively new writer, consider doing a find+all for -ly adverbs and getting a bead on how often you use them. (It's probably more than you think, and seeing all of them highlighted in neon is both humbling and helpful.) Delete as many of them as you can. (1/3)

Authors! If your character is examining or studying something, they are poring over it, not pouring over it. Homonyms are jerks, and this is a common one, so keep an eye out the next time your characters get invested in detail work! www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/p...

In every romantic pair, one partner is a cat and the other is a dog. I have no explanation for this. It's just vibes.

Question for writers: Are you naturally good at writing dialogue and capturing character voice? If so, are you any of the following: -A musician -An actor -Good at accents/impressions -Good at learning foreign languages I have a budding theory about skill crossover and how we 'hear' when writing.

anytime someone comments on my anonymously posted, emotional-support fanfic to tell me I nailed the characters' voices, an angel gets its wings

I know it's lame af that my favorite flavor of ice cream is vanilla chocolate chip, but it's not my fault perfection can't be improved upon.

I really, really want to get behind Skylight, but the fact that I can't upload most of my videos because they're too large -- even the ones that are well within time limits -- is a significant detriment. I'm not gonna go back and make compressed copies of hundreds of craft videos, kwim?

The problem with getting on top of and responding to all of your emails is that, by the end of the work day, they spawn and generate new emails.

Check out Lacey's post on tension, pacing, and emotional momentum! I give feedback along these lines in most editorial letters I write.

For all the writers who've felt this way over the past months:

I’m the worst most intermittent TikTok/Instagram social media poster ever but I think this video about conlangs in fantasy novels is good. You have to watch @ceemtaylor.com ‘s video to have full context though vt.tiktok.com/ZSAj2a23X/

In my inbox rn I have about five emails from clients who've learned my father passed and wrote to ask if I needed a deadline extension, content warnings about bereavement in their work, or any support they could give. I'm so fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful authors. Just. Wow. Thank you. 🫂

My version of "write drunk, edit sober" is "come up with 10/10 story ideas while going through intense periods of grief, stress, and emotional pain, but be unable to execute any of them until that shit has all been processed" RIP to future me going through these worldbuilding docs 💀

Writers, ik it seems like the publishing world moves at warp speed and that you need to get your work out there yesterday or you'll fall behind, but plz remember that if this is the First Book You Have Ever Written, odds are it's not strong enough to launch a career off of. AND THAT IS OKAY. (1/9)

The surreal nature of grief in the modern world is like . . . going to the grocery store. Vacuuming. Working on an editorial letter. Pruning your tomato plants. Making prayer cards and express shipping them so they make it in time for your dad's funeral. Cooking dinner. Running a load of laundry.

When I told my dad I wanted to make more time for writing, I really wasn't trying to imply that I wanted to write his eulogy, but here we are I guess

When the spammers don't even try

Nothing makes me 🫠 quite like looking at my 12yo niece and knowing I was her age when I checked out and read Kushiel's Dart from the local public library because all SFF written by women used to be filed in the Teen/YA section. (To be clear, that miscategorization still happens, and also -- 😬)

life lately

Bombing for peace is like burning books to promote literacy.

If you were too young in 2003 here is what Bush told the American people: 1) The Iraq War won’t cost a lot of money 3) We won’t need a lot of troops 4) We’ll bring peace and freedom to Iraq 5) We’ll find WMDs 6) We’ll be welcomed as liberators 7) It will be easy 8) It won’t take long All lies.

Who's cutting onions in here? 😭🥰

If you're wondering "hey, where's Cee?" I've been at the hospital taking care of my dad. While I love all y'all, I love my dad more. I'll be back to talk writing etc. as I can over the coming weeks. (I'm not deaf to the news cycle. Our art is more important than ever. Keep writing, friends.)

If you're a writer who struggles with descriptive passages, this tip always works for me! #writingcommunity

The office is coming along! Bottom shelf is all clients and critique partners (and my lil novella). Looking forward to adding more to it this year ✨

Planted my very first garden today. Have no idea what I'm doing. Keep my tomatoes in your thoughts 🙏🍅

Seriously considering sending my clients a YouTube link to whatever song I listened to on repeat for sixteen hours while writing their editorial letter, but I'm afraid it would expose the innards of my unhinged working process a little too much.

Update: the dark blank corner of the office that I never show anyone is coming along nicely. I'm thinking about buying strip shelving to put above the Kallax for showing off my favorite LPs. Thoughts?

True writer procrastination is choosing to set up Ikea furniture instead of working on my manuscript. 🤓🔨

A big congrats to Melissa Magner for taking home an IndieReader Discovery Award in the New Adult category for her AMAZING Fantasy omnibus Of the Sun and Sea! 🎉🎉🎉 There's no better feeling in the world than when my authors win things ;) indiereader.com/2025/05/anno...

Under capitalism, no industry can ever be truly merit-based. That includes publishing. It's infuriating to watch inequity play out in real-time. I know. But if you take anything from watching a dude with a massive following sell a debut Fantasy on proposal, let it be the following two points (1/5)

If you're struggling with your novel at around the 60-65% mark... Yeah. This beat is a beast to wrangle. You're not alone.

Writers, if you feel like part of your scene is dragging, highlight it and look at the wordcount. The avg reading speed for adults is 200-300wpm. Do you use 600 words to describe something that takes place in 5 seconds? The mismatch between book-time and IRL-time might be the culprit.

TK Whyyyyyy